Does anyone fancy a 'puppy survival' thread?

[SkeletonSkins]

Just wondering whether anyone else has got a puppy recently and in the same boat as us? Interested to hear how how others are getting on.

We've had our 8 week old puppy for a few days now and things are okay... he's a complete cross of lots of different breeds so enjoying trying to work out what in him!

House training seems to go great and then at night he just sits there in the middle of the grass not wanting to even walk around! Never mind wee!

Our older dog isn't particularly impressed but has been good with him so far. Just looking forward to him sleeping through the night without needing a wee. Completely forgot how having a puppy completely takes over your life for a little while!

Sounds like some of out puppies are making progress!! Hope the interview went well Lion. I think being alone at home is such an important thing for them to learn as otherwise it's just so limiting isn't it.

We've had a lovely walk this morning with a friend and had some breakfast in a dog friendly cafe which was really nice. Pup was really good and fairly confident - coped fine with surprise people popping out of canal boats etc! Was also very calm yet playful with friends dog. Did get a little bit frightened of some children who ran to him and started chasing him but just scooped him up and went out as he was clearly overwhelmed and no point pushing the matter.

I have so much to do today (my house is a bomb site - please tell me that everyone else's house is suffering due to puppyhood!!) and also in the middle of decorating but the sun is absolutely gorgeous and pup adores sunbathing - it won't be often that I have a sleepy puppy wanting to cuddle with my in the sunshine so I've got the comfy garden chairs out and dug out a book! Painting can be done once the suns gone in!

Skeleton my cleaning standards dropped several notches when I got my puppy so I suggest you ignore it and go and sit in the garden. Sounds like DPup is doing just fine out and about with you and I don't blame him not wanting to be chased by some children.

It's lovely at the moment and DDog loves the sun and keeps jumping on DH as he lies on his sunbed. Unfortunately there isn't quite room for both of them

We have been practicing lots of sitting and staying recently when out waking in the forest and I starting to see the results of this which is encouraging but this week at training I now need to practice on the firm no voice as you give him an inch and he takes several miles.

Thank you. The interview has been rescheduled for next week which is a pain but at least lionpup didn't need to be left again. I've got to be honest, he's great at being left and is always alseep when I get back.

Has the trainer been yet funky? Hope it went well.

Me too skin. I seem to have chewed up bits of carrot all over the floor. The kids toys that used to be all over the living room have been replaced with dog toys. I have a huge cushion wedged in the Stairgate as the gap at the side is big enough for the puppy to fit through. I ahve a chewed carpet and I have to close my eyes every time I walk into the kitchen because the state of the floor makes me want to cry yes cleaning standards (that weren't very high to begin with) has definitely dropped

Puppy and cat had a stand off in the garden today. Puppy chased cat, cat hissed and made strange noises at puppy who was not bothered in the slightest and continued to chase cat.

Nice to hear you are all enjoying the lovely sun today.

Exciting times, I finally have photos of Bluepuppy to share. He comes home in a couple of weeks

I realise one of the photos has puppy biting but he is actually pretty good. It's just hard to get young puppies to stay still long enough to take a decent photo!

Hi blue lovely photos, bet you are excited. Oh and get used to the biting

Such a gorgeous puppy! Not long now!

I'm very excited about puppy. Is it bad that I've already had thoughts of getting him a whippet sibling at some point

Luckily my house and furniture all needs updating / replacing anyway so not too worried about any of that.

I honestly could have stayed at the breeder's house for hours and watched the puppies play and had warm sleeping puppies in my lap. It's all very therapeutic

I love having two dogs to be honest, feel much happier about leaving them alone etc so definitely would recommend for you in the future!

Sleeping puppies are just my total favourite.

We had a lovely walk on the beach this morning with some friends and their dogs and pup was so perfectly behaved. Tootled along with all the other dogs, friendly with everyone but didn't go running up to people or dogs. Just so easy and so pleased with him today. He's curled up and fast asleep now.

Does anyone know how long smaller dogs grow for? Just wondering what sort of size he might end up.

Sounds like a lovely walk on the beach. Hmm size wise not sure but at our 6 monthly vet check up we discussed the size of DDog and think he won't grow much bigger but will probably 'fill out' which I am glad to be honest as he looks very skinny even though he gets fed lots :(

The weather had been great this weekend although DDog has found it a bit hot outside and is preferring to snooze in the house.

Skins, is your puppy enjoying the beach more now? I know he wasn't keen the first time you went. I might be wrong but I think by 6-9 months, most smaller dogs have fully grown.

Aww blue live the pictures. How cute! Have you got everything ready yet?

I need to leave lionpup for 3.5 hours tomorrow. He's fine being left and his bladder control is brilliant so I'm wondering if I need to get someone in to him or not. He will often have a 3 hour nap when the kids aren't here to disturb him so I think he will be fine but I don't know...

Monty is now 20 kilos and resembles a small elephant...but still can't make it up the sofa which gives Pookie an escape!

Lion we leave our puppy for that long and he's absolutely fine. Where would you be leaving him? Could leave him with a frozen stuffed kong or nice new toy to keep him occupied?

Thanks for asking about the beach, he is LOVING it. Walked him with some friends yesterday and he was honestly a joy to have out. Didn't pester the older dogs, didn't run up to people but was running after my friends gorgeous soft as anything GSD through pools etc. He was so funny - he sort of bounded through the water in little jumps like a kangaroo

Booboo absolutely gorgeous pic! Lots of healthy growing going on there!

Hey puppy pals.

Puppy trainer came over on Saturday. Basically we are not doing anything horribly wrong, need to be consistent and just be patient was the main message

Given a bit of confidence we left Eddie on his own in the lounge to sleep on Saturday and Sunday nights. Sat was ok. I woke up for a wee in the night so took him out as well. Came down in the morning to a poo (not too bad I thought) last night did the same but came down to 3 wees and 2 poos. (Less happy) hoping it will get better. He did have a bit of a whine when I went back to bed after taking him out. Son had a mate over to stay last night so I think having someone new around and extra noise probably didn't help him

Hubs is off work with the kids this week so hoping he settles into a bit more of a routine as hubs is going to try leaving him alone for an hour a day too so I can Build on that next week when I am off

Funky it's nice sometimes to hear these things are normal so glad that you got that from the trainer.

Ah I feel soooo bad. Left lionpup for 3 hours came home for 45 mins then had to leave him for another two hours. I left the window open and all was quiet when I got home but as soon as he heard me come in the door, he went crazy whining and howling. No accidents in the crate which was good but I feel so guilty about having to leave him for so long. I will have to leave him for another 3.5 hours on Wednesday and maybe an hour at the weekend. but that's it until next week.

Glad the trainer helped funky. Are you still trying with the crate?

Aww skins, I love seeing my pup play with other dogs so I know exactly what you mean. Glad he's loving the beach now. We've still got two week until lionpup can go out honestly it feels like we've been waiting months.

Lion it will be so good when you can take him out properly. I didn't really take my pup out much pre vaccinations as he was too wriggly to hold.

It's horrible having to leave them and I hate doing so even now but it has to be done. Mine makes me smile as when I get home he does this kind of rhythmic body wiggle as he is so happy. The hardest part is not making a massive fuss of him on my return as I try and make it not a big deal although he gets lots of fuss 5-10 mins after.

Honestly Lion they do get used to it and settle. Our pup is fine being left now even though I still feel harsh. It's all a learning curve. Just think of the thousands of dogs kennelled around the world, our dogs are being left in a cosy warm house for a snooze!!! Hardly torture.

Puppy class for us tonight. Well, he loved the other dogs and people there, wasn't so interested in doing anything else ha!!

Oh lion I bet you were more worried than the pup. He probably just slept! I'm going to have to build up to that though and it does break my heart a little!
I've pretty much given up on the crate. I'm still trying to get him used to going in it and not be afraid of it as we will use it in the car and I think if he ever has to go to the vets there will be crates involved there (I plan on getting his bits chopped at some point)

Good news though. Left Eddie alone again last night to sleep. Didn't hear any whining. I didn't wake for a wee till 5.30 so have just checked on him. No accidents! Just taken him out for a wee and he is having a cuddle and a snooze on my lap for a bit till I have to get up for work. Hoping this is the start of him turning the corner on house training and sleeping!

That's a good way to look at it Skeleton. I always wonder if mine is happy but he gets fed, loved, medical treatment, the best food I can find, walks and me worrying about him and all he has to put up with is a few hours on his own

Funky fingers crossed for more accident free nights. Isn't it funny how some dogs take to crates instantly but some take more persuasion. My crate is HUGE (could fit about 5 more of him in it) and he has another big bed in there so not sure if that is why he took to it straight away or not because it was like his play pen but just with a top to it.

Thanks for the reassurance. I know he is absolutely fine. He is always silent when I get home and only starts crying when he hears me come in to the room. We've built it up gradually but I still feel bad! honestly it was easier to leave the kids when they were babies! bitey, I know exactly what you mean about the body wiggle haha.

Funky, that's great news! Fingers crossed this is the start of dry nights for eddie.

I've just realised that we haven't had any accidents in the house for 8 days!

Also, I think we need some more puppy pictures from everyone... Pretty please

I'll go lol
Here's my boy 13 weeks today and really enjoying his walks, he is settling into a good routine and having few accidents in the house now. He is so loving and loads of fun

Here is Eddie